International Conference on Stakeholder Engagement for Nuclear Power Programmes - Programme - Day 1

Monday, 26 May 2025

10:00 – 12:30 | Opening session

• 10:00 – 11:00 | Dialogue between IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi and Mr Robert Stone, Director of the documentary film Pandora's Promise, moderated by nuclear energy influencer Ms Isabelle Boemeke
   
• 11:00 – 12:30 | Opening panel
  
  Moderator: Mr Chris Burns
  
  Panellists:

  HE Ms Vannia Gava, Vice Minister for Environment and Energy Security, Italy

  Mr Celso Jaque, Mayor of Malargüe (former Governor of the Province of Mendoza), Argentinean Nuclear Municipalities Forum, Argentina

  Mr Vesa Lakaniemi, Mayor of Eurajoki, Finland

  Ms Winnie Ndubai, Director of Strategy & Planning, NuPEA, Kenya

  Mr Charles Oppenheimer, Oppenheimer Project, United States of America

  HE Mr Khaled Toukan, Chairman of the Jordan Atomic Energy Commission, Jordan

  Hon. Mr Kris Van Dijck, Member of the European Parliament and Mayor of Dessel, Belgium

  Chief Clayton Wetelainen, Wabigoon Lake Ojibway Nation, Canada

12:30 – 14:00 | Break/side events

14:00 – 15:30 | From Past into the Future: What Has Changed and What Have We Really Learned?
Over the decades, effective stakeholder engagement has proven essential for building trust, ensuring transparency, and fostering public confidence. This panel brings together experts from diverse sectors to share lessons learned in engaging communities, regulators, industry, and media. Discussions will highlight what has worked, what hasn’t, and how practices have evolved to address changing societal expectations. From navigating public concerns during plant operations to introducing innovative technologies, panellists will showcase real-world successes and challenges. Key takeaways include strategies for clear communication, managing misinformation, and fostering inclusive dialogue to support nuclear energy’s role in a sustainable, safe and secure future.

14:00 – 14:15 | Keynote Speaker: Ms Aleshia Duncan, Deputy Assistant Secretary for International Cooperation in the US Department of Energy’s Office of Nuclear Energy, United States of America

14:15 – 15:15 | Panel discussion:

Moderator: Ms Irena Chatzis, IAEA

Ms Gabriela Borsatto, Brazilian National Nuclear Energy Commission, Brazil

Mr Peter Bryant, World Nuclear Transport Institute, United Kingdom

Mr Fredrik Holm, Mayor of Halden, Norway

Ms Purity Mutua, Nuclear Power and Energy Agency, Kenya

Ms Catrinel Turcanu, Belgian Nuclear Research Centre SCK CEN, Belgium

Ms Tamara Yankovich, OECD Nuclear Energy Agency

15:15 – 15:30 | Q & A

15:30 – 16:00 | Break

16:00 – 17:30 | From Vision to Action: Navigating the Nuclear Newcomer Journey
This panel will explore the journey of “nuclear newcomers,” countries that are either considering or already embarking on nuclear power programmes to meet energy needs and sustainability goals. With around 30 newcomers worldwide, and advanced projects underway in Bangladesh, Egypt, and Türkiye, this panel will discuss the challenges and opportunities and lessons learnt in engaging stakeholders for the development of a sustainable, safe and secure national nuclear infrastructure for new nuclear power programmes.

16:00 – 16:15 | Keynote Speaker: Ms Aline Des Cloizeaux, Director of the Division of Nuclear Power, IAEA

16:15 – 17:15 | Panel discussion:

Moderator: Mr Matthew van Sickle, IAEA

Ms Lujain Khalaileh, Jordan Atomic Energy Commission, Jordan

Ms Linda Lunan, International Centre for Environment and Nuclear Sciences, Jamaica

Ms Maria Oseeva, Rosatom International Network, Russian Federation

Mr Ozkan Ozturk, Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources, Türkiye

Mr Nam Yoh Shik, Korea Nuclear Association for International Cooperation, Republic of Korea

Ms Bellona-Gerard Vittor-Quao, Nuclear Power Ghana, Ghana

17:15 – 17:30 | Q & A

18:00 – 20:00 | Reception